Want to get Jenna out there!

[JennaDesire]

Does anybody know where I can go in Long Island to hang out with other cd's? I really need to get Jenna out in the world to see where it takes me!

[Sophia Frances]

I really don't know. Just started this myself, but I will follow this thread, as I would love to hear myself.

[Beverley Sims]

Only been there with my wife, I welcome you both to the forum and I hope the future takes you both on a pleasant journey.
It is very different in the winter time. Long Island that is. :)

[I Am Paula]

If Jenna needs to get out, may I suggest going where there aren't CD's? The real world isn't full of men talking about panties. Don't yell at me girls- I found that hanging out with CD's was like being in the closet, but with other people. Look out your window, that's the real world. JMHO-Celeste

[mikiSJ]

I have been dressing for 60 years but have never gone beyond my backyard while dressed.

I think the last thing Jenna needs is to be "read" by a bunch of teenage girls/boys on her first trip to the local mall. Give her a break and let her find a group of CDers so she can build her confidence.

[wilt575]

I have been dressing for 60 years but have never gone beyond my backyard while dressed.

I think the last thing Jenna needs is to be "read" by a bunch of teenage girls/boys on her first trip to the local mall. Give her a break and let her find a group of CDers so she can build her confidence.

Believe me teenage girls will read you, faster than lightning, don't know why when guys hardly ever do read you.

[audreyinalbany]

.I kind of agree with Celeste, just get out and do stuff, you don't need a 'special' place

[Leah Lynn]

Try going to a mall on a weekday- no pesky teens around- and just do a walk around, and maybe find a coffee shop. A couple trips like this is a real confidence booster. Then slowly increase your activities. I live in a small midwestern town, so I have to go 50 miles (any direction) to get to a big town, then I can shop, dine or go clubbing. Just be safe, and enjoy.

[Diversity]

I also agree with Celeste. Just go out there! If this helps, I am now taking my first steps and enjoying it immensely. The clothing looks a bit feminine for a man, but I knoow it is all ladies garments that I am wearing. As I get more confident, I'll expand upon the clothing. Not sure if this helps, but I thought I'd share it with you.
Good luck, Jenna.
Di

[wilt575]

If Jenna needs to get out, may I suggest going where there aren't CD's? The real world isn't full of men talking about panties. Don't yell at me girls- I found that hanging out with CD's was like being in the closet, but with other people. Look out your window, that's the real world. JMHO-Celeste

My first outings were at two of our casinos late night, like Celeste says go where there aren't a lot of CD's or any. Most people at a casino are interested in one thing, and its not checking out each others clothing just be careful around the bar area near last call.

[litangel]

This has become a discussion on the best way to take first steps out of the closet. A CD group? out to a public place with little scrutiny? I'm not sure there is one best way. However I would like to add an option, to make your CD experience more comfortable and more real. Find a place you can be social and open. When I came out part way during the 90's I had a strategy of finding an environment that was likely to be accepting, and showing my femme side to them slowly. I would often identify one or more likely allies and share with them first, so they could be my support as I came out. I did this first at a Dances of Universal Peace group. Progressive groups with a strong but open feminist bent can work well. Accepting churches can be good. Or a group that is strongly connected to one of your hobbies, where they see you as a person first, and then you begin to CD. How about a gay square dance group? (even if you identify as hetero)
I find that when I am in a group where I can be open and relate and not worry about being read, it becomes a more real, supportive experience where I can not only dress femme, but play with interacting with others from this place, which is more fulfilling for me.

[rocketscientist]

Ding! Ding!Ding! These are my thoughts exactly. As much as I love to hang out in friendly bars and clubs with others TG persons, I REALLY love to mix with the general public. And I don't give a rat's ass about being read. In fact, I welcome it! I want people to see me and know that I am comfortable just being me. If they ask me questions, I will answer them the best I can. But, I can understand your trepidation. If you are not experienced or confident enough(yet) to mingle with the masses enfemme, then maybe you can find a meetup group near you. Maybe some girls here will reach out to you and give you some ideas. If not, you can always search the internet for CD social groups in your area and go from there. Good luck and Happy Holidays,Tonya


If Jenna needs to get out, may I suggest going where there aren't CD's? The real world isn't full of men talking about panties. Don't yell at me girls- I found that hanging out with CD's was like being in the closet, but with other people. Look out your window, that's the real world. JMHO-Celeste

[RenneB]

I too thought that I would be better prepared if I went out with a group of CDrs. But unless y'all are really good blenders, you're going to attract attention. That attention thing, is not where I wanted to be. So to 'break out' into the world, I took a whole bunch of baby steps... Started out as being a nightwalker, as it is easy to hide in the shadows and difficult to be recognized...also easier to blend in with heels and short skirts in the club area. But then I wanted to be a daywalker. That took a little longer to get comfortable in...

Best advice... get as comfortable as you can be with your whole presentation and then just head on out. Definatly avoid teens as I was 'clocked' by a pair "OMG you're right there's one of them" was an unforgetable line I got hit with. But I got back up and just headed on out the next day.

The hardest part is getting past the front door. Know where you are going, what the weather is going to be like and what the rest of the crowd is wearing and you'll be just fine.

Renne.....

[Sophia Frances]

I may be wrong, but I think Jenna was looking for a CD friendly spot to venture out in long island. I just had 2 days out as Sophia in Vegas and if it wasn't for Drink and Drag I probably would have just gone straight back to hotel. Having that CD inviting environment gave me the courage to go out to more places. It was my spring board.